A zoning dispute between a family and the town of Ogunquit, Maine, over metal rooster sculptures has reignited amid new claims involving constitutional rights and potential legal advocacy. The controversy, which first drew attention during the summer, centers on six-foot-tall metal roosters displayed outside The Omelette Factory, a restaurant owned by Sara and Dave Leblanc. The roosters, which have divided local opinion, are claimed by the Leblancs to be emotional support figures for their adopted daughter Pyper, a child with autism who finds comfort hiding among them when transitioning from their home to the outside world.
The town of Ogunquit has classified the roosters as unpermitted signage related to the restaurant, fining the family nearly $1,000. The Leblancs paid the initial fine but appealed the decision, leading to a disability variance granted by the local Zoning Board of Appeals that allows two of the roosters to remain on the residential side of the building, provided they are properly attached to the staircase railing. However, as of mid-September, the roosters were still chained in place rather than installed in accordance with the variance, and the family has also accepted numerous smaller roosters donated by supporters, further complicating the issue.
In recent weeks, the dispute has taken on a constitutional dimension. Daniel Woislaw, a lawyer with the Institute for Justice, a legal nonprofit that fights government regulatory overreach, contacted the Leblancs after learning of their situation. Woislaw, whose uncle is autistic, expressed interest in potentially representing the family pro bono, citing free speech concerns. The firm, which has several cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, frequently addresses issues where municipalities attempt to curtail expression by deeming displays commercial signage, thus restricting First Amendment protections.
The disagreement has attracted national and international attention, with supporters worldwide adopting the roosters as symbols of autism awareness. Coverage by major outlets and public reactions have often painted Ogunquit officials as antagonists, including harsh messages directed toward the town’s administration.
From Ogunquit’s perspective, code enforcement officer Tyler McOsker has pointed to local news reports suggesting the roosters are intended to draw attention to the newly acquired restaurant, violating regulations that limit commercial signage to American and rainbow flags. Town officials have maintained their stance on enforcement, culminating in a recent $750 civil penalty issued in mid-September for failure to remove the alleged illegal signage, with a two-day deadline to pay.
The Leblancs have stated their intention to contest the penalty following counsel from the Institute for Justice. “Someone’s got to stand up,” Sara Leblanc told reporters, underscoring the family’s determination to continue their fight against the town’s enforcement actions.
At present, Ogunquit’s code enforcement division has declined to comment further, leaving the dispute unresolved as it moves into what the Leblancs describe as a prolonged and increasingly complex phase.